> Why would Branson get involved ?

Branson is notorious for burning other peoples’ money. Look at Virgin Galactic: it’s New Mexicans’ [1] and Floridians’ [2] tax money plus some duped Emiratis [3]. (They also pre-sold tickets [4].)

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/04/space-travel...

[2] http://www.airnewstimes.co.uk/space-florida-promises-virgin-...

[3] https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/uaes-aabar-takes-sta...

[4] https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/

Branson's business model is selling the right to use the Virgin brand to other companies. The article doesn't say he made an investment. It is rather more likely that they paid him.

> The article doesn't say he made an investment.

Actually, from the article:

> Hyperloop One has received a significant investment in Hyperloop One

And from the page linked to in that paragraph:

> Delighted to announce Virgin Group’s investment in Hyperloop One

Not exactly ambiguous.

Is that actually the case? My impression is that the vast majority of companies bearing the Virgin brand was either started by Virgin Group, bought by them, or has seen a significant investment. Many have since been divested again, and continued to license the brand, but I've not heard about any cases where they just licensed the brand without other financial involvement. Maybe I've just not paid attention?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Group#Subsidiaries_and_... shows the majority being 100% owned by the Virgin Group, though notably none of the airlines nor rail operators are.

So basically Trump with more class?

...and fewer bankruptcies.

Although if you believe Private Eye about the state of Virgin's finances (convoluted, shifty, and blistering opaque), this may or may not be true.